01 Power (The Magician)

Then they watch the progress he makesThe Good and Evil which path will he takeBoth of them trying to manipulateThe use of his powers before it’s too late

Today is born the seventh oneBorn of woman the seventh sonAnd he in turn of a seventh sonHe has the power to healHe has the gift of the second sight He is the chosen oneSo it shall be writtenSo it shall be done

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – Iron MaidenSeventh Son of a Seventh Son – 1988

The seventh son of a seventh son is traditionally considered to be born a powerful magician. But what exactly is a magician? Legend has magicians as men who wear starry cloaks and go “pouf” to make things happen. This is ridiculous and yet mankind persists in believing in one man’s ability to modify the reality he sees around him, as displayed by this image. So here stands a Magician. Let’s ask him what his magic is?

Magic is simply power. Power over the self to modify the elements within a certain space & time limit. Every person, animal, and plant on Earth has access to this power. The power comes not from birth arrangements, heavenly mandate or wealth, but knowledge of the self & how the world works. Much the same as you can study a piece of weaving and then learn how the weaver works the threads into cloth.

Ok, so we got this “Power” stuff. Now we’ve got to know what to do with it. The song speaks of “Good & Evil” paths. Good & Evil are concepts best left alone because as issues they are too emotive and only two-dimensional. When applying your power (or magic) to any situation try this approach to morality:

do what you willso long as you intend no harmto yourself or any other thing – living or not.

Our Magician has all the elements air, fire, water, and earth laid out before him (just like weaver’s thread). It is now up to him, and him alone, what use he makes of this power. Behind him hangs the dream of far shores to which he can travel by the use of his abilities. Above him is the Sun (symbol of God/Ego) with an infinity symbol that shows the interconnectedness of all actions and reality.

When we first cone to realize the power we have to create (or at least alter) we often make very selfish choices. Or more correctly short-sighted choices. My definition of Dumb:

Dumb is when a person is so self-interested that they work against their own greater good.

Or to borrow some older sayings: Throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Cutting off your nose to spite your face. Winning the battle to lose the war.

In the Bible where they talk about Man being like God, this ability to understand & change reality (in ways that beasts can’t) is what they mean. This is referred to in reverse in Revelation where people abandon their ability to create and become like beasts.

Whatever choices he makes will set up our Magic-user’s future reality and affect everything else in his environment (The Earth). With our view on morality, The Magician will use his power to set up future realities that he enjoys. Yet whatever choices he makes, however good, they may be viewed by others as inappropriate. This means that we can only ever make the choices that we personally know to be correct.

Just be aware that with choices, a null-choice – choosing not to do anything – is as much a choice as choosing to do something. This means that when a choice or action is required, “I don’t know” is not a useful answer as it uses your power against you.

Divinatory Meanings

Directions are chosen. Being in control. Desire to better one’s self. Shows where power lies and possibly which way it might turn. Take care that a weak will and ego are not ruling.